Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has presented a proposed five-year medium-term strategic plan to stakeholders in Plateau.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Jos, Mr Joseph Ityav, Chairman, Governing Council of the commission, said that the strategic plan was aimed at ensuring a bottom-top approach in its operations.
Ityav explained that it took the commission one year to develop the plan, adding that the meeting was targeted at getting the inputs of stakeholders from the benefiting communities in the state.
”We are here today to present our medium term strategic plan to stakeholders from HYPPADEC communities in Plateau.
”To achieve our mandate effectively, we developed this document in order to actualise our objectives as a commission.
”So, we are basically here with this plan to get your suggestions and inputs because you are very key to our work in HYPPADEC,” he said.
Ityav thanked the state government for the support it had accorded the commission over the years and called for more toward the development of power-producing communities in the state.
Giving a synopsis of the strategic plan, Dr Salleh Kanam, Chairman of the committee saddled with the responsibility of developing the plan, said it was aimed at improving the welfare, security and development of HYPPADEC states.
He stated that the plan was anchored on 10 core areas, including: education, health care, security, economy and environment.
Others areas, he said, were; agriculture, energy, road infrastructure, water and youth empowerment.
”We are here to present to what will help the commission focus and guide it in a manner that will enable it perform optimally.
”This strategic plan, if implemented, will ensure that development is brought to all HYPPADEC areas in a transparent and accountable manner,” he said.
Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Danladi Atu, thanked the commission for organising the meeting, insisting that the inputs of stakeholders were very important.
He pledged the continuous support of the state government to the commission for the overall growth of the state and Nigeria in general.
The meeting had traditional rulers, community leaders and representatives of youth and women groups in attendance.